The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1887-12-08


all the tariff profit he received upon the
wool he produced and sold.
When the number Of farmers engaged in
wool raising is compared with the farmers
in the country, and the small proportion
they bear to our population is considered;
when it is made apparent that in the case Of
large part Of those who own sheep, the
benefit of the present tariff on wool is
illusory; and, above ali, when it must be
conceded that the increase of the cost Of
living caused by such tariff becomes a bur
den upon those with moderate means and
the poor, the employed and unemployed, the
sick and well, and the young and old, and
that it constitutes a tax which, with relent-
less grasp is fastened upon the clothing Of
every man, woman and child in the land,
reasons are suggested why the removal or
reduction Of this duty should be included in
a revision Of our tariff laws
In speaking Of the increased cost to the
consumer of our home manufactures, result
ing from a duty laid upon imported articles
of the same description, the fact is overlooked
that competition among our domestic pro.
ducers sometimes has the effect OF keeping
the price Of their products below the highest
limit allowed by such duty. But it is notori-
Gus that this competition il to often strAn-
gled by combinations quite prevalent at this
time and frequently called trusts which have
for the object their regulation of the supply
and price Of commodities made and sold by
members of the combination. The people
can hardly hope for any consideration in the
operation of these selfish schemes.
IT, however, in the absence of such combina-
tion, healthy and free competion reduces
The price of any particular dutiable article
of home production below the limit which
it might otherwise reach under our tariff
laws, and if, with such reduced price its
manus1cture continues to thrive, it is en-
tirely evident that one thing has been dis
covered which should be carefully scruti-
nized in an effort to reduce taxation. The
necessity Of combination to maintain the
price of any commodity to the tariff point
furnishes proof that some one is willing to
accept lower prices for such commodity and
That such prices are remuneratlve, and
lower prices produced by competition prove
the same thing Thus where either Of these
conditions exist, case would seem to be
presented for an easy reduction Of taxation.
The considerations which have been pre-
sented touching our tariff laws are intended
only to enforce an earnest recommendation
that the surplus revenues of the government
DO pIONohbou ny bu9 uouuCJlOu OuE CLLb-
ON duties, and, at the same time, to en-
phasize suggestion that in accomplishing
this purpose we may discharge a double
duty to our people, by granting to them
measure of relief from tariff taxation in
quarters where it is most needed, and from
sources where it can be most fairly and
justly accorded. Nor can the presentation
made Of such considerations, with any de-
a,,f Fai- ha lad avid ~
unfriendliness toward our manufacturing
interests, or Of any lack of appreciation Of
their value and Importance.
These interests constitute a leading and
most Substantial element Of our National
greatness, and furnish the proud proof of
our country's progress. But if in the emer-
gency that presses upon us our manu-
facturers are asked to surrender something
for the public good, and to avert disaster,
their patriotism as we'll as a grateful resig-
nation of advantages already afforded,
should lead them to willing CO operation.
No demand is made that they shall forego
all the benefits Of governmental regard;
but they cannot fail to be admonished of
their duty, as well as their enlightened self
interest and safety, when they are reminded
Of the fact that financial panic and collapse
to which the present condition tends, afford
no greater shelter or protection to our man
ufacturers than to our other important en-
terprises opportunity for safe, careful and
deliberate reform is now afforded, and one
Of us should be unmindful of time when
an abused and irritated people, needless OF
those who have resisted timely and .reasona-
BILE relief may insist upon a radical and
sweeping recti6cation OF their wrong.
The difficulty attending a wise and fair
revision of our tariff laws is not under
estimated. 1t will require on the part of
the congress great labor and care, and
especially abroad and National contempla-
tion OF the subject, and a patriotic disre-
gard of such local and selfish claims as are
unreasonable and reckless of the welfare of
the entire country. Under our present laws
more than four thousand articles are sub
ject to duty. Many of these do not in any
way compete with our own manufacturers,
and many are hardly worth attention as
subjects of revenue. A considerable reduc-
tion can be made in the aggregate by add
ing them to the free list The taxation of
luxuries presents no features of hardship,
but the necessaries of life used and con-
sumed by all the people, the duty upon
which adds to the cost of living in every
home, should be greatly cheapened. The
radical reduction Of the duties imposed
upon raw material used in manufacturers
or its free importation, is Of course, an i'm
portAnt factor in an effort to reduce the
price Of thess necessaries; would not only
relieve them from the increased cost caused
by the tariff on such material but the man
ufactured product being thus cheapened,
that part of the tariff now laid upon such
product as a compensation to our manufac-
lures for the present price of raw material
could be occasionally modified. Such re-
duction, or free importation, would serve
beside to largely reduce the revenue
1t is not apparent how such change
can have any injurious effect upon
our manufacturers. On the contrary, it
would appear to give them better chance
in foreign markets with the manufacturers
OF other countries, who cheaper their wares
by free material. Thus our people might
have the opportunity Of extending their
sales beyond the limit of home consump-
tion, saving them the depression of inter
ruption in business and loss caused by
glutted domestic market, and affording
their employees more certain and steady
labor, with its resulting quiet and content
ment. The question thus imperatively pre-
sented for solution should be approached in
spirit higher than partisanship and con-
sidered in the light of that regard for patri-
otic duty which should characterize the
action of those intrusted with the veal Of
confding people. But the obligation to de-
clared party policy and principle is not
wanting to urge prompt and effective
action.
/. Both Of the great political parties now rep
resented in the government have, by re-
peated and authoritive declarations, con-
demned the condition of our laws which per-
init the collection from the people of unneces-
sary revenue, and have, in the most solemn
mannS promised its correction; and neither
az citizens or par tisianS are our countrymen
in a mood to condone the deliberate violation
- x.lod..an